GLAAD - Elementaryhttp://www.glaad.org/tags/elementary
enREPORT UPDATE: Transgender images on TV remain largely negative, but standout roles hold promisehttp://www.glaad.org/blog/report-update-transgender-images-tv-remain-largely-negative-standout-roles-hold-promise
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-0-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/waltonsoa.png?itok=gF6sxFWh" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>*** <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/glaads-third-annual-trans-images-tv-report-finds-some-improvement">Please note, a report update examining additional episodes between November 2013 and November 2014 can be found here</a>. ***</p>
<p>Last year, in recognition of Transgender Awareness Week and the Transgender Day of Remembrance, <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-examines-ten-years-transgender-images-television-more-half-were-negative-or-defamatory">GLAAD examined the previous ten years of transgender inclusive television episodes</a>, and found that more than half of those tracked were either negative or outright defamatory. Sadly, after reviewing the 20 additional trans-inclusive episodes and storylines GLAAD tracked on television in the twelve months since releasing that report, we've found that the ratio hasn't improved.</p>
<p>Of the 20 episodes tracked by GLAAD since the last report, 60% (12) of them were found to contain enough offensive content to be considered negative and defamatory. Another 30% (6) of the episodes were considered somewhere between okay to problematic, while only 10% (2) of the episodes tracked this year were considered outstanding. Last year's report found that 54% of the tracked episodes which aired from 2002 to 2012 were negative/defamatory, 35% were okay to problematic, and 12% were outstanding.</p>
<p>Anti-transgender slurs, language and dialogue was even more prevalent in the past year than what was found in the previous report. Of the 20 episodes tracked, 75% (15) of them contained problematic language - often spoken by popular or sympathetic characters.</p>
<p>On a more positive note, the transgender characters themselves were less likely to occupying the stereotypical roles of victims of villains. Only 10% (2) of the roles were those of murderers or villains compared to 21% in last year's report. Additionally, only 15% (3) of the roles were categorized as victims compared to 40% of the roles from 2002 to 2012. This year, transgender characters were also less likely to be depicted as sex workers; 15% (3) this year versus 20% in the previous report.</p>
<p><strong>Ongoing storylines</strong></p>
<p>For this report GLAAD examined only one-off or non-recurring transgender impressions and storylines, but there were actually several regular transgender characters that deserve recognition. On Fox's <em>Glee</em>, transgender teen Unique was finally upped to a series regular on the show, and most recently found herself struggling with harassment and a school policy barring her from using the girl's bathroom. Unfortunately television also lost an important trans teen character this past summer, when on TeenNick's <em>Degrassi</em>, Adam was tragically killed in a car accident. Having been one of television's only regular transgender characters for a number of years – not to mentioned a very well written one – Adam's absence is still felt.</p>
<p><img height="445" width="330" style="height: 337px; width: 250px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; float: right;" class="media-image media-image-right media-element file-media-original" id="3" src="http://www.m.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/1200px/public/orange-new-black-88_0.jpg?itok=JBJaFeRb" alt="" />By far one of the biggest developments in transgender characters this year wasn't on broadcast or cable TV at all. The Netflix original series <em>Orange is the New Black</em> received raves for its creative and diverse cast of characters living in a women's correctional facility, and among them is transgender inmate Sophia. Played by transgender actress Laverne Cox, Sophia's rich personality and backstory have led many to rightfully declare her a breakthrough in transgender representation, and the show's many fans eagerly await her return in the upcoming second season.</p>
<p><strong>Other Highlights and Lowlights</strong></p>
<p>- There were several episodes that aired in the previous year that GLAAD felt were defamatory enough to warrant public comment, including an episode of the CBS show <em>CSI</em> which aired right after the release of the previous report. Nick Adams, GLAAD's Associate Director of Communications, <a href="http://www.advocate.com/commentary/2012/12/02/op-ed-how-tv-show-csi-screwing-us-again">penned an Op-Ed for <em>The Advocate</em></a> explaining why the story of a dead transgender woman working as a drug mule was so problematic and fit into a longstanding pattern of <em>CSI</em> mishandling trans storylines.</p>
<p>- On <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/premiere-ray-donovan-continues-disrespectful-portrayals-transgender-community-showtime">the premiere of the Showtime series<em> Ray Donovan</em></a>, a possible news story about a famous actor "caught" with a transgender sex worker is averted when Ray decides it would be better if the actor was instead found in bed with the corpse of a woman who overdosed on drugs. The storyline continued as the sex worker attempted to blackmail the actor, and then later briefly married him. Each time Ray was hired to cover up the actor's involvement with the woman.</p>
<p>- Fox's <em>Family Guy</em> brought back the transgender character of Ida for two brief appearances, including one gag in which it's implied that she has sex with her own son Quagmire, and another where her former lover Brian jokes that she "still has bits of penis left." As noted <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-examines-ten-years-transgender-images-television-more-half-were-negative-or-defamatory">in last year's report</a>, the numerous Fox shows created by Seth McFarlane have regularly featured defamatory humor.</p>
<p>- The CBS sitcom <em>Mike &amp; Molly</em> <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/cbs-mike-molly-makes-anti-trans-jokes-cbs-commits-meeting-glaad">has been a repeat offender</a> when it comes to anti-transgender humor, and definitely crossed the line with a recent episode in which a trans woman <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sue-kerr/mike-and-molly-transphobic-jokes_b_4287778.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices#comments">was repeatedly mocked and mis-gendered</a> while she was on screen.</p>
<p><img alt="" class="media-image media-image-right media-element file-media-original" data-file_info="%7B%22type%22:%22media%22,%22view_mode%22:%22media_original%22,%22fid%22:%2265380%22%7D" height="319" id="3" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/1200px/public/tumblr_mpjevvJaw51s498dco2_r1_500.jpg?itok=wBRCMzs2" style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; float: right; height: 319px; width: 220px;;;;;;;" width="220" />- Though several CBS programs have been among the worst offenders this year, the network should also be credited for creating perhaps one of the most unexpectedly welcome transgender characters. On <em>Elementary</em> – a contemporary re-imagining of Sherlock Holmes – the classic housekeeper character of Ms. Hudson was revamped as a transgender character played by trans actress Candis Cayne. The new Ms. Hudson was an antiquities expert who agreed to help Sherlock and Watson out with housekeeping duties while she mended a broken heart. She was a multi-dimensional character whose identity and storyline didn't hinge on her gender identity, and she is precisely the type of transgender character needed on television. GLAAD hopes that Ms. Hudson will make a return appearance at some point, and has expressed as much <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-meets-top-cbs-execs-discuss-transgender-images-network">directly to network executives at CBS</a>.</p>
<p>You can read <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-examines-ten-years-transgender-images-television-more-half-were-negative-or-defamatory">last year's report here</a>.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">November 19, 2013</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/entertainment">Entertainment</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/television">Television</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/transgender">Transgender</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/csi">CSI</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/mike-molly">Mike &amp; Molly</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/elementary">Elementary</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/glee">Glee</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/orange-new-black">Orange is the New Black</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/family-guy">Family Guy</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/degrassi">Degrassi</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/ray-donavan">Ray Donavan</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Tue, 19 Nov 2013 19:54:29 +0000mattkane69050 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/report-update-transgender-images-tv-remain-largely-negative-standout-roles-hold-promise#commentsGLAAD Meets with Top CBS Execs to Discuss Transgender Images on the Networkhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-meets-top-cbs-execs-discuss-transgender-images-network
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p><img class="media-image" height="150" id="2" style="margin: 3px; float: left; width: 150px; height: 150px; ;;;;" width="150" src="http://www.glaad.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/cbs-logo_1.jpg?itok=YH7z_Bfy" alt="" /></p>
<p>This month, GLAAD staff met with CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler and over a dozen senior executives in charge of entertainment programming at CBS for an honest discussion about CBS' recent history of problematic transgender media representations and ways in which GLAAD can help CBS create more fair and accurate portrayals of our community.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.glaad.org/blog/cbs-mike-molly-makes-anti-trans-jokes-cbs-commits-meeting-glaad">meeting stemmed from repeated problematic jokes</a> on sitcoms like <em>Mike &amp; Molly</em> and <em>2 Broke Girls</em>, and from <a href="http://www.advocate.com/commentary/2012/12/02/op-ed-how-tv-show-csi-screwing-us-again">sensationalistic, exploitative trans characters</a> on shows like <em>CSI</em>.</p>
<p>CBS was actually an early leader in transgender media representations, airing <em>The Education of Max Bickford</em> in 2001, a show that included the first regular transgender character on broadcast television. And the CBS show <em>Cold Case</em> earned GLAAD Media Award nominations for two episodes that dealt with transgender hate crimes.</p>
<p>Nick Adams, GLAAD's Associate Director of Communications and one of GLAAD's transgender staffers, presented a basic introduction to the transgender community, and then took an in-depth look at how the community has been represented on CBS. Using several clips from recent CBS shows, he pointed out how anti-trans images in the media contribute to a culture that does not treat transgender people equally.</p>
<p>He also pointed out several opportunities where CBS could easily improve its transgender representations, including expanding the role of "Ms. Hudson," a transgender character played by Candis Cayne on <em>Elementary</em>, and by adding transgender contestants to <em>Survivor</em>, <em>The Amazing Race</em>, and <em>Big Brother</em>. <img class="media-image" id="6" style="float: right; margin: 3px; ;;;;;" src="http://www.glaad.com/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/Candis%20Cayne%202.jpg?itok=rGVwkD31" alt="" /></p>
<p>Research shows that around 90% of Americans personally know someone who is gay, lesbian or bisexual, but less than 10% know someone who is transgender. This means that most Americans can weigh firsthand knowledge when considering defamatory or insensitive media coverage of the LGB community, but the vast majority of Americans have no personal connection to someone who is transgender, so they rely solely on the media for information.</p>
<p>CBS has received a "Failing" rating on three out of the last five <a href="http://www.glaad.org/nri">Network Responsibility Index (NRI)</a> reports created by GLAAD. Feedback from the CBS executives in the room was quite positive, and we look forward to CBS improving its rating on the NRI in the future.</p>
<p>Matt Kane, GLAAD's Associate Director of Entertainment Media, said: "GLAAD is hopeful that this meeting will encourage more inclusive, sophisticated, and realistic portrayals of trans people on CBS, and we're committed to working with the network to ensure that happens."</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">June 24, 2013</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/entertainment">Entertainment</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/television">Television</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/transgender">Transgender</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/cbs">CBS</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/transgender-0">transgender</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/television">television</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/elementary">Elementary</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Mon, 24 Jun 2013 20:57:39 +0000nickadams66676 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/glaad-meets-top-cbs-execs-discuss-transgender-images-network#commentsCBS Going Purple for Spirit Day with The Talk, Elementary, and Craig Fergusonhttp://www.glaad.org/blog/cbs-going-purple-spirit-day-talk-elementary-and-craig-ferguson
<div class="field field-name-field-blog-featured field-type-file field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span id="styles-1-0" class="styles file-styles 750px"> <img id="1" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/750px/public/announcement2012.jpg?itok=LZ3aI2A5" alt="" title="" /></span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>CBS will show its spirit this Friday, October 19, when several CBS programs will go purple to <a href="http://www.glaad.org/spiritday">take a stand against bullying and support LGBT youth</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/391054944297795/">You can join us for Spirit Day by RSVPing on Facebook to wear purple on October 19</a> and <a href="http://www.glaad.org/spiritday">going purple today on Facebook and Twitter</a>.</p>
<p>The new CBS drama <em>Elementary</em> kicked things off this week when the whole set donned purple t-shirts for a cast and crew photo, including stars Lucy Liu, Jonny Lee Miller, Aidan Quinn, and Jon Michael Hall.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.glaad.org/files/102479_001bws_1.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href, '', 'resizable=yes,status=no,location=no,toolbar=no,menubar=no,fullscreen=no,scrollbars=no,dependent=no'); return false;" target="_blank"><img class="media-image" height="283" id="3" style="height: 283px; width: 425px;;;;;;" width="425" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/1200px/public/102479_001bws_1.jpg?itok=-_YSZX4j" alt="" /></a></p>
<p>Friday morning, the hosts of <em>The Talk</em> will don purple on the air and tell their audience about Spirit Day, which they have done for the past two years as you can see in the below photo.</p>
<p><img class="media-image" height="233" id="2" style="height: 233px; width: 425px; ;;;;;;;;;;;;;" width="425" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/The%2520Talk%2520Spirit%2520Day.jpg?itok=_RPJre5_" alt="" /></p>
<p><em>The Late Late Show</em> with Craig Ferguson will also participate for the second year in a row, and out actress Kirsten Vangsness (<em>Criminal Minds</em>) will help spread the word on social media. Additionally, KCBS anchors will wear purple on the air throughout the day.</p>
<p><img class="media-image" height="311" id="2" style="height: 311px; width: 425px; ;;;;;;;;;;;;;" width="425" src="http://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/0craigkilborn_0.jpg?itok=4YOFYndx" alt="" /></p>
<p>Take a stand against bullying and support LGBT youth by participating in <a href="http://www.glaad.org/spiritday" target="_blank">Spirit Day</a> on Friday, October 19. To get involved, simply <a href="http://twibbon.com/support/spiritday" target="_blank">go purple on October 19</a> as we work to create a world in which LGBT teens are accepted for who they are. You can <a href="http://www.glaad.org/spiritday/resourcekit" target="_blank">download GLAAD’s Spirit Day resource kit</a> which contains tools to get your local community involved. Spirit Day participants can also <a href="http://www.glaad.org/spiritday/spreadtheword" target="_blank">spread the word</a> and tell their friends they’re standing up against bullying, <a href="http://www.glaad.org/spiritday/app" target="_blank">download the Spirit Day app</a> for iPhone and Android, and <a href="http://www.glaad.org/spiritday/textpurple" target="_blank">text PURPLE to 80888</a> to donate $5 to support the important work <a href="http://www.glaad.org/" target="_blank">GLAAD</a>, <a href="http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/home/index.html" target="_blank">GLSEN</a> and <a href="http://www.thetrevorproject.org/" target="_blank">The Trevor Project</a> do every day to end bullying and support LGBT youth. Another way to celebrate Spirit Day is to encourage the presidential candidates to come out against bullying by <a href="http://www.glaad.org/purple2012" target="_blank">signing a new petition asking them to wear purple on October 19</a> and visit the <a href="http://origin-store.americanapparel.net/purplepride.html" target="_blank">American Apparel #SpiritDay store</a> to get your own purple gear with a 10% discount and 10% of proceeds going to GLAAD.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-pubdate field-type-datetime field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">October 17, 2012</span></div></div></div>
<div class="field field-name-field-issues field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Issues:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/entertainment">Entertainment</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/issues/television">Television</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/issues/spirit-day">Spirit Day</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<div class="field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix clearfix">
<div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div>
<ul class="field-items">
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/cbs">CBS</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/spirit-day">Spirit Day</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/talk">The Talk</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item odd"><a href="/tags/elementary">Elementary</a>, </li>
<li class="field-item even"><a href="/tags/late-late-show-craig-ferguson">The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Wed, 17 Oct 2012 18:20:17 +0000mattkane59859 at http://www.glaad.orghttp://www.glaad.org/blog/cbs-going-purple-spirit-day-talk-elementary-and-craig-ferguson#comments